Question:In this day and age, one of the biggest calamities facing the world is poverty. In fact, the main focus of the United Nations’ aims for the next century is the eradication of poverty. Poverty not only denotes an economic problem, but a social problem as well. Moreover, most of the international organizations have plans and programs dealing with the problem of poverty. We know that Islam is a way of life. It is a schedule that begins from the cradle and ends in the grave. In this regard what does Islam say about poverty?

Question:In the past few years, we have been witnessing natural disasters occurring in every corner of the world at an unprecedented level. How should we perceive these events? Do these calamities have a special meaning or are they just a regular part of the natural order?

Question:“Dear Ustadh as it is directly connected with our topic, let us begin with the nature of the concept of wealth and look at how it ought to be understood.

Wealth in the true sense belongs neither to individuals nor to society.Wealth belongs only to Allah, glorified and exalted be He. Disposal over it has only been granted to the servant for a set period of time and they cannot use it as they wish. They can only use it in the way ordained by its Owner and are required to enable the impoverished and the suffering to benefit from the worldly possessions they themselves utilise. The aim is to be the“Believer from whose hand and tongue others benefit,” as mentioned in a hadith.

Question:You have shown us how Sufism leads a human being to perfection and cleanses him or her from impurities. In this respect, what place should Sufism occupy in the life of a Muslim? Is it possible to lead a pious life without Sufism?

Altinoluk: In your book, “From Faith (Iman) to Internalization of Faith (Ihsan),” you state that the Sufi path is very important in the life of a Muslim. What are the benefits of the Sufi path for the Islam, as well as in perfecting and guiding the human soul to the truth? What are the secrets of its success?

Question: Enough attention is not given to the rights that others have over us, despite the delicacy of the matter and its severe repercussions. What would you like to say in regard to this?

Of those things that will not be forgiven on Judgement Day are associating partners with Allah and the rights of others.While Allah the Almighty forgives the sins of a servant, be they mountain high, He excludes from this pardon the rights that others have over us; He makes forgiveness in this regard contingent upon servants’ observing their mutual rights and in their obtaining each other’s pardon. This is why the sincere and pious travellers on the path of Truth spent their entire lives in the consciousness of the rights of others and were careful to avoid even the slightest carelessness in this matter.